In Week 18, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered their pivotal matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with a chance to secure the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture. While Pittsburgh had already clinched a playoff berth, head coach Mike Tomlin chose to play his starters to build momentum after a three-game losing streak.
The importance of the game was clear: a win would propel the Steelers to the fifth seed, while a loss could drop them to the sixth seed. With everything on the line, the defense had one job—to stop Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his star receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.
However, defensive coordinator Terry Austin made a puzzling decision when he assigned rookie cornerback Cory Trice to shadow Chase instead of Pittsburgh’s best cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. Trice, a sixth-round draft pick, was given the daunting task of covering one of the NFL’s most dangerous wideouts, despite Porter’s standout performances throughout his career.
The result was predictable: Chase dominated, finishing the contest with 10 receptions and an early touchdown. The mismatch was clear from the start, and the Bengals took full advantage.
While showcasing heart and effort in an impossible assignment, Trice simply wasn’t equipped to handle Chase on his own. The All-Pro wide receiver routinely beat him, showcasing his elite route-running and ability to make plays after the catch.
Meanwhile, Porter, the Steelers’ more polished and experienced cornerback, was largely kept away from Chase throughout the first half, contributing to the Steelers’ defensive struggles.
Defensive alignment placed Steelers at a disadvantage
Things didn’t improve until the second half when Bengals receiver Tee Higgins suffered an ankle injury. This forced the Bengals to rely more heavily on Chase, and Austin finally decided to switch Porter onto him. The change had an immediate impact.
Porter broke up a key pass and provided the defense with a glimmer of hope. However, by then, the damage was already done. The Steelers’ offense, led by Russell Wilson, struggled throughout the game, and despite the defensive improvements, a comeback was out of reach.
The decision to have Trice shadow Chase was a critical misstep for Austin. In a game with playoff implications, the Steelers needed their best cornerback on the opposing team’s most explosive player from the start.
If Porter is Pittsburgh’s best cornerback, it was a mistake to wait as long as they did to have him match up against Chase. By allowing Trice to face Chase alone, Austin put the Steelers at a disadvantage early, setting the tone for a game they couldn’t afford to lose.
The lack of an early adjustment ultimately cost them—both in terms of the game and the momentum they desperately needed heading into the postseason.